Lesson learned in plans changing

So far a farily easy first few days where most things we've planned to do have run smoothly. I was begining to wonder when things might go wrong. Not that I was being negative or anything but everything was going so well. On our first night in Rio we were able to hagle our airport taxi down from R$65 to 50 and found out later a girl in our dorm paid over 70. The other day in Ipamema we escaped another scam. I think it started when one guy threw a pidgeon (!) at Brian as he threw something in the bin, then two seconds later his friend came running over with a toothbrush and some washing up liquid and was shouting 'Dog shit, dog shit, sir.' We just kept walking telling him it was fine but he persisted 'Look Sir, dog shit on your shoe.' Finally got away from him without stopping and there was indeed a little blob of greeny yellowy goo on brians shoe... definitely not dog shit though. These scam arists have good aim!

In Parati at the moment, four hours south of Rio. Cute village that's by the sea with beaches and islands close by. The centre of the town is the original colonial village from around 1660 with cobbled streets and cute little houses and a few big churches. Cars can't travel down the streets anymore cause it's a preserved village. Really nice. It's right on the water too with loads of colourful boats.

So back to when things don't always go to plan. Heading into the centre of Parati to catch a bus to a nearby town called Trinidade which we were told had gorgeous beaches, great waves and nice little treks through jungle. So that plan was bikini, towel, book - relax (in the shade), go for a swim, watch the world go by and plan our next move. It was 40 degrees as we waited for our bus with hundreds of school children running around and all I was thinking was that I'd better get a window seat or I'd die of the heat! The bus journey to Trinidade took about 45 mins and it was mainly though jungle landscape, up one side of a mountain and down the other. On our decent our bus didn't sound too good and about a minute after I'd said 'auw, poor bus' to Brian it cuts out! And as the bus cuts out I notice that it started to rain outside!

Our bus driver had the bus working again after 5 or 10 mins but by that time the skies had opened and the rain was torrential. Made it to Trinidade and without much thought got off at the last stop but as the bus drove away realise that there was nothing to do! And the rain was getting heavier and it was freezing :( Loud, long rumbles of thunder and a flat grey sky make it look like the rain was out for the day. So that was the relaxing on the beach plan gone. Thankfully two Israeli couples had got off the bus at the same time and under some shelter we all tried to play cards and successfully drank beer while we waited for the bus back to Parati.

Oh and Brazil have taken teleshopping to a new level... cattle for sale anyone? (bad photo - its hard to take a photo of the tv!)